Have you ever started sewing something with only the vaguest idea of what you were going to make?
Although most of the pieces in the Out to Sea collection began with detailed sketches, when I started making this shirt
I only knew that I wanted to do a beaded neckline. I had no idea what the shape would be, or how the sleeves would look,
but I knew there would be beads involved somewhere.
The square front neckline naturally evolved into a square back neckline…
Then I found these adorable buttons, and knew they would be perfect, so I added a placket…
I don’t generally like yellow, but these buttons really were too perfect!
The angles of the necklines would be complimented so nicely by notched sleeves…
![]() |
Wow, check out that cat hair! |
And I just happen to have two buttons left over that would fit just right on the cuffs.
Of course the one thing that I had actually planned for was the only detail that I didn’t end up using,
and the beads were replaced by a bright yellow running stitch instead!
So now Aurelia had this amazingly special shirt, and absolutely nothing to go with it.
Matching shorts were obviously a necessity…complete with the contrasting running stitch embroidery.
In the end I was shocked that a half-baked plan, plus a color I don’t even like, somehow managed to become
one of the cutest outfits I’ve ever made! Talk about serendipity. Maybe I shold try to “wing it” more often!
How do you start a new sewing project?
Do you like to have a plan or make it up as you go?
I vote yes, go crazy!!!! This is a gorgeous outfit, and she looks so happy to be wearing it!
Ha! You should have seen all the out-takes. She's only smiling because I told her she could go to the swimming pool if she gave me a cute picture. There's quite a bit of bribery involved any time you see her smiling!
OMG, Toni! When did Reli get so "Grown Up"? Her face is losing the toddler look quickly & jumping right into the Little Girl look! She is Stunningly Beautiful!!! I LOVE her smile, bribed or not & those braids are getting long! Oh, and I LOVE the outfit also! Such a Nautical styled top & the ever "Let's Go Sailing" blue & gold color scheme!! kweenbee_612@yahoo.com
Thanks so much Chelle! My husband's been saying the same thing about Reli all week…"When did she get so tall? Why is her hair so long?" but I just want to know when that terrible two attitude turn into full blown teenager mode? I thought mood swings were supposed to come with the hormones! 😉
Such a cute outfit! I need one for myself =) Thanks for sharing this! I'm stopping by from i heart naptime's Sunday link up!
Thanks Stephanie! Personally, I'd never be able to pull of those day-glow shorts! ;D
Wow, your winging it turned out so cute!
We'd love for you to share at our All Our Days Link-Up. (It goes live every Thursday night.)
The outfit is just gorgeous. I like yellow and blue together 🙂 Love the details on the outfit 🙂
I love this, blue and yellow look perfect together, and the details are great!
This is so cute! Stopping by from the Friday Flair link party! Would love to have you also link this up at the Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party. Our theme is Red, White & BBQ! 🙂
http://mommifried.com/ladies-only-blog-share-link-party-red-white-bbq/
Adorable!!! Pinned:) Love the bottoms in back and on sleeves!
This is adorable! Sooo cute. Thank you so much for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday!
Jamie @ Better With Age
This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/two-girls-and-a-party-link-up-24/
Live every Wednesday to Sunday.
Hosted by:
http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/ Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
http://thissillygirlslife.com/ Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
We hope to see you there!